MAN-POWER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 36, 22 November 1939, Page 3

MAN-POWER

CO-ORDINATION OF CONTROL. ADVISORY COUNCIL. APPOINTED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, November 21. The personnel of the Central Advisory Council appointed by the Government to assist and advise the Minister for Labour (the Hoi). P. C. Webb) in the most efficient utilisation of the Dominion’s man-power was announced this evening. The council held its first meeting last week. A statement issued by Mr Webb expressing satisfaction with the wholehearted co-operation of members appointed, and his gratification that the personnel consisted of men regarded in- their own spheres as possessing outstanding knowledge and experience of the Doihinion’s primary and secondary industries, and the problems associated therewith.

It was revealed by the Minister that more than 600 who had enlisted in the Special Force had not been accepted in the meantime, because they were in reserved occupations. Such men were to receive a, suitable certificate. *

The personnel of the council is the Minister for Man-Power.

Representing the Primary Production Council, Mr W. W. Mulholland

or Mr H. M. Christie; Mr J. Roberts or Mr F. P. Walsh.

Representing the Factory Production Council, Mr M. R. O’Shea and Mr Adam Black. ' Representing the Industrial Emergency Council, Mr W. Marshall or Mr T. O. Bishop ; Mr R. Eddy. Representing the ’ armed forces, the Adjutant-General, Colonel O. H. Mead. “From the discussions which < took place at the first meeting,” said Mr Webb, “I feel sure that this council will prove to be an exceedingly valuable part of the Government’s special administration set up to cope with war problems. Its main function will be to bring about the complete co-ordin-ation of the three councils in respect of man-power matters, and to study specially the most intelligent use of personnel, not only to enable the Government to meet fully its undertakings with regard to trained forces, but to

assist, the Motherland with the maxi-

mum production of foodstuffs and other i essential commodities. Opportunity was taken to acquaint members with the wide organisations established by

the Government before and after the outbreak of war, and the steps that have been taken up to the present, with particular reference to the presentation of essential services and industries.” Essential Industries. Under the voluntary system the Government had received an excellent response! from many thousands for the Special Force; but it had been reluctantly compelled to postpone acceptance meantime of more than 600 of them for the reason that their withdrawal from essential occupations would have been prejudical to the public interest. “These men,” said Mr Webb, “can be assured that postponement is decided upon only where replacement is impracticable*at the time of enlistment, and the Government earnestly .appeals to them to continue in their occupations till the -necessary machinery can be implemented to institute a satisfactory system of replacement. It should be emphasised that men so retained will not .be granted permanent exemption ; but will be notified that'they will not bet called upon for military service till satisfactory arrangements can be made to safeguard the work for which they are regarded as more essential than serving in the armed forces. In order to ensure that men will not be withheld unnecessarily, and l on the other hand that a dislocation of essential industries will be avoided, members ol the council will take the opportunity before the next meeting of thoroughly studying the procedure, after consultation with their respective- organisations. Till this complete review has been carried out, it is not proposed to issue formally a schedule of reserved occupations for the reason that the position is being adequately safeguarded at present, and continuous consideration is showing the necessity for constant change in cases where replacements can be effected, or where no diminution in production is occasioned. To publish such a list would rend to confuse sections of the public who would be liable to regard as permanent provisions which may be frequently changing. Meantime it is proposed to formulate a suitable certificate for issue to men who have enlisted for service in the Special Force, but whose calling up has been deferred by reason of their occupation. “Generally speaking the council will apply itself to a sfudy of methods to provide not only for the replacement of men enlisting for military service, but for the training of personnel to secure the expansion of production. This problem opens up questions of very far-reaching, importance ; but the council feels that every possible assistance should be given,, to- our citizens who believe that'they should answer the highest call of national duty to fulfil their undertaking at the earliest possible date.”